Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:4
I don’t know about you, but I get hundreds of new ideas for books, businesses, websites, and ministries every month. Each one seems more interesting than the one before it, and I’m immediately tempted to pursue this fresh, new, big idea that will suddenly take off and make all my dreams come true.
So, the other night, I can hardly sleep because I’m toying with this big idea in my head. When I start to think about the marketing aspects and initial investment it will take to pull this off, the huge idea comes tumbling down because it occurs to me that it will probably take dedication over time for this thing to become an “overnight success.” That’s when I step off the big idea high horse. Time? Dedication?
I started praying about it and the Lord led me to consider all the other areas in my life where I’ve already put in a great deal of time and dedication, areas that are still in the growth process. My short stories, the novels, and scriptures bracelets I’ve been prototyping for four years now.
All of this realization brought me to what is probably the biggest revelation I’ve had in a long time: stop starting over. Rather than put all my current projects on the backburner to pursue these grand new idea, I need to take the time and develop what I already have going on. There are plenty of one-book and one-hit wonders in the world. Nothing wrong with that when God’s behind it. But in my case, I recognize that God is building my character for a long-term legacy that will last for generations. He’s teaching me how to plant seed, water it, nurture it, and watch it grow in due season. I must stop abandoning the work that He has already given me; stop treating the businesses and ministry channels He has already blessed me with like hobbies, and learn how to not just start things, but grow them, too.
Okay, Father, I hear You. Back to work now.
